When it comes to event coverage, most publications get so caught up in the bikes and babes nary a thought is given to what’s really important—food. That’s just not right. Your hard-earned pay and biker bellies deserve better, so we’ve done some of the eating for you.

The Black Bear Diner
With all the aplomb of a military strategist, Black Bear’s Manager, Kim Lonie, balanced the supervision of the amped-up biscuit production while seating the hoards of hungry bikers and overseeing her staff.

The food is truly good, portions ample, hospitality pleasant and by the throngs of bikers waiting to be seated, we could see the secret of the Black Bear is out. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner the Black Bear has the standard diner fare, with an emphasis on premium ingredients and sizes that satisfy—their generous (regular order) or “A Little Less” plates. Choose from your favorite comfort food, sandwich, burger, salad, or breakfast goodies. And, if like us your criterion for judging a restaurant includes the freshly squeezed O.J., this place will land at the top of your casual dining list.

The Black Bear Diner, 1751 Highway 95, Bullhead City, AZ; www.blackbeardiner.com; 928/763.2477.

The Boarding House
During the River Run, the restaurant’s background music goes from the usual country tunes to grinding heavy metal for what management must have concluded is a delightful accompaniment to dining, biker style. The cheerful wait staff gets festive, donning event T-shirts, some sport chaps. The atmosphere is casual and it was fun to sit at the window, watching the eye candy stroll by the river’s edge.

We sampled most of the hearty breakfast buffet, deeming it worth a revisit. We also ordered off the menu and found the generously portioned, succulent ham-steak was the best of a tasty bunch, although the biscuits and gravy could be missed. The Sunday Brunch is more lunch than brunch, so take a look at the buffet before ordering.

The Sautéed Panko Crusted Cod was the most delicious dish we had, and even came back again for a little déjà vu…cod for two. At peak dinner hours we encountered a line of salivating bikers that stretched well out the door and into the casino. Nightly themed dinners are touted on the casino’s website.

The Boarding House (Pioneer Hotel and Casino), 2200 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV; www.pioneerlaughlin.com; 702/298.2442.

The Vineyard Ristorante
If you’re a fan of Italian food, you’ll surely enjoy this high-end venue. The ambience, staff, and the recipes make for an exalted experience. You can expect crisp linens on the tables, a knowledgeable server, and memorable dishes.

We found the seafood at peak freshness. Poseidon himself would be proud of their Seafood Pescatore, laden with clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops, upon sauced linguini ($24). The Black Pepper Crusted Filet Mignon with seasoned vegetables ($31) is simply exquisite. The entrees are preceded by a house soup or salad, and a fantastic artisan bread basket atop every table. The suggested wine pairings were spot on, and perfect for a relaxing, lingering dinner.

Cultivate a hearty appetite before your visit. Appetizers like the Mushrooms Casino stuffed with King Crab ($9) kick-start this epicurean experience, while desserts, such as the sublime cannoli, are the envy of the Vatican.

The Vineyard Ristorante (Aquarius Casino Resort), 1900 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV; www.aquariuscasinoresort.com; 800/662.LUCK. Reservations recommended.

Mangia!
The first stop on our Mangia! culinary tour was one of their eleven “Antipasti” selections. The Steamed Mussels ($11) in a garlicky white wine sauce had us savoring every morsel. We can also recommend the Italian Wedding Soup ($5), a marriage of mini meatballs with fresh vegetables.

The Trio Mangia! ($18) and Grilled Salmon ($20) followed. The first consists of three classics—Chicken Parmigiana, Cheese Manicotti, and Mangia! Lasagna. It made for a pretty presentation and all were equally delicious. The salmon was fresh and delicately infused with Italian herbs and olive oil.

Beef, Chicken, Soups and Salads, and more complex pasta dishes are amply represented. Many pastas may be individually tailored by choosing from a list of sauces and noodle variations, some available in whole wheat and gluten free. For desert, the crème brulee was delicious but the cannoli, a dish my Italian partner is culturally picky about, was, in his words, “an insult.”

The interior décor is in keeping with a casino resorts look—a bit flashy with a nod to stylish opulence. You’ll be serenaded by Sinatra and Martin, piped in through the sound system.

Mangia! (Colorado Belle Hotel and Casino), 2100 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV; www.coloradobelle.com; 702/298.4000

The Prime Rib Room
We wondered if we had missed something, or perhaps landed at the Prime Rib Room on a bad night. The beaming, bright lighting is an eye opener, which by the looks of the buffet was a questionable decision. Any expectations of a quiet, intimate atmosphere are abandoned at the door.

Wait staff nudged us along repeatedly, like herded sheep, to graze in stages—salad bar, then potatoes and veggies, building to the tableside carving of prime rib or delivery of your overcooked chicken or fish. It felt rushed in an attempt to turn tables.

The staff was sweaty, the presentation institutional, the food tired and ill-prepared. Save for the view of the Colorado River, it is a venue without merit. Across the corridor, however, the Gourmet Room received excellent reviews from colleagues, wish that we were them.

Further down the hall, the Riverside was hosting Biker Burlesque, a boisterous, well-paced production featuring hot dancers, an death defying aerialist, a lovely vocalist, and a comedienne who had the crowd roaring. Partake where it is tasty, my friends.

The Prime Rib Room (Riverside Resort and Casino), 1650 S. Casino Dr. Laughlin, NV; www.riversideresort.com; 702/298.2535.